Vending-machine.



E.`A. CLAUS. VENDING MACHINE, A PFLICATIQN-FILEDMAYSM15H3.

Patented sept. 11, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

E. CLAUS.

v VENDLNG MACHINE. APPuCATwN man am' 31.1913.

' .mn/frs Elvin. A. CLAUS, or BnooiiIYN, lnew Yoan, iissienon'ro ronnie sniwcn our I coMPANY, or BnoonLYN,-.NnW Yoan, A CORPORATION or NEW Yoan VENDING-l/EIACHINE.

Application filed May 31, @13. Serial No. 770,934.

'citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of New" York, borough of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented a new and mdevice of the class described whichcomprises a casing, av container for nested cups associated with the casing and serving to direct the cups into the casing, means for supportingthe cups, and, when operated, for advancing the cups one at a time to a carriage, the"y carriage having -means operable simultaneously with the cup-advancing means on operating the carriage, to advance the cupi thereon from the casing.

An object of the invention isto provide a simple and efficient vending machinefor use with individual,paper drinking cups or like articles, which includes a checkor coin-A control mechanism, which is compact in form, light in Weight, and comprises comparatively few parts, which is so constructed that it is not capable, without diiiiculty, of unauthorized operation, and which when operated will dispense the contents one at a.

time only.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the class described in which the casing is normally associated 'with a supporting plate and has a door, in combination with means for preventing the removal of the casing from the plate, when the door is closed, the door serving to per- `mit the removal of coins or checks which have been introduced into the casinghaiid to control the association of the casing' with thes'u'pporting plate.

y"boiiliinent of my invention, showing the container for the nested cups broken away the section being on line 1-1 of Fig. 2,. illustrating the device in normal inoperative-'- position; v

Fig. 2 isa transverse section on line 2 2 Fig-.6 is a transverse section similarv to Fig. 2, certain of the parts being shown in different positions;

Fig. Tis' a fragmentary section on the line 7--7, Fig. l;

Fig'. 8 is a section similar to Fig. 6,.certain: of the parts being shown in different positions; 1

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary section on the line'v 5).-9401" Fig. 10;

Fig'. 10 is a similar section on the line 10-10`o Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary, vertical section showing certain details of construction ofproved Vending-Machine, of which the .folof Fig. 15 lowing is a full, clear, and exact description. F ig'. 3 is a vertical section on line 3--3 of This invention relates toy vending ma- Fig. 2;

19 chilies and has reference more' particularly Fig. 4 is a vertical section on line 4-4 of 65 to check or coin-controlled mechanisms for Fig. 1; v f

dispensing?.Q drinking cups or like articles. Fig, 5 is a similar section online 5 5, More specifically, the invention relates to a Fig. 1;

the cup'fsupporting and releasing mechanising. .v

Fig. 12 is a vertical section showing a lock for securing the cup-container with respect to the casing; and -A f Fig. 13 is a horizontal section on the line 13-ia0firig-1a .J'

Before proceeding to a more detailed exn l D I planation 'oi'- my invention, it: should be' ranged that the contents can be dispensed at 10Q i The invention `consists in the construction and combination of` parts to be more fully described hereinafter and particularly set forthin the claims.

'will without the introduction into `the machine oi a coin or check. The container for' the cups is preferably a transparentcylinder; disposed vertically above the-casing, so

l cation, in whichsinl 5.0- Reference is to ybe had -to the aaccoinpany"-` ing drawingsforminapart of this speci- -r characters of refthat' thejcups are gravitationally directed., H55- sainement wia-iii their iongauiirinairgznie. iHowever, this 'ieonfstruction `inay, be altered A desired, with othersfof the details,

v forms nqgiart''ofiny invention. .Thesekmav l1.10

erence iidicatej responding `,partsin valf the view/aand 1,v -f '.j Figure-.111s rtm1 'seetien'of .anem- 'into',thecasing 'along -a line/substantialli?e j 1,.'

30 into the lower f for this purpose the escapeinents are provided with blades 15 of helical or wedge 40 rotated in one direction the 45 the ilanges 14 and the next.

50 inittedto escape from 455 sociatedwith the escapeinents 13'.

65 The handle 2G is be varied in accordance with the individual preference and special conditions without departing from the underlying spirit of the lnvention. Referring more rounded by a flange 3a upon which is mounted a. ring 8, within the periphery of which is suitably secured a cylindrical container 7, of glass, or like material. The ring 8 has i an upwardly extending flange surrounding the cylinder 7, and a downwardly extending flange which sits upon the flange 3.

Rotatably mounted in the upper` portion of the casing 3 on the studs 21 are one or more rotatable members or escapements 13 so disposed that they are located Without the periphery of the cups as they pass into y the casing. These escapements, preferably four in number as illustrated, are equally spaced circumfercntially relative to the path of the cups in the stack 4 as they enter `the casing. The escapeinents support the stack of cups,

and when rotated are operable to support all of the cups except the -lowermost one, whichvis per tted to escape portion of the casing; and

forni and which normally support the stack of cups. In addition each escapenientA has a blade or flange 14 which temporarily sup- Each flange 14 is' port the stack of cups. substantially normal to the axis 12 ofthe escapement. The operation voit these devices is such that when they are simultaneously stack of cups is transferred from` the blades 15 to the flanges 14; and when they are rotated inthe opposite direction, that is, to their original position, the lower-most cup remains upon adjacent cup to the `lowerinost is engaged by the blades 15,

so that the stack of cups is thereupon supy ported by these blades, and the cup which has remained on theflanges 14 is then perpensing carriage.

l Withinthefcasing is located a rotatable ring 22 provided with teeth 23-in engage ment with pinions 24 which are rigidly as,- The ring tliusserves to rotate theY escapenients simultaneously as it rotates.

Positioned below tric therewith isa ring 25vp1ovided with a ihandle. 26 `projecting through a slot provided for the purpose in the casing. The handle 26 permits the manual operation of the ring 25. `The latter is guided in its rotation by' means of hubs 21 of the pinion 24. provided with a flange 27 of thecasing.

to its initial or 4ring25. It is norm ally the latter to a` dis- 4 the ring 22 andconcen-i` tion after it has been displaced there om. y

The ring 25 is provided with a helical spring 29, one end of which is fixed to a post 30 of this ring and the other end to a post 31, rigidly carried by an apertured partition 17 It serves to return the ring normalposition after it has been displaced from the same. The rings 22 and 25 have associated therewith check or coin-engaging means consisting of radial slots 42 yand 43 respectively, located in their outer peripheries, so that when a coin is 1n common engagement with both slots the ring 22 ringf25, and the latter serves to rotate the former as it is actuated. The partitionll has an opening 44 therethrough which constitutes a passage for the coin into a recepta`c1e-45 of the casing 3 (see Fig. 10). The opening 44 registers with the slots42 .and when the rings 22 and 25 have in unlson reached the limits of rotation.

Preferably the ring 2 2 is provided with a coin guide 46 about the slot 42 which serves yto guide thecoln in an engagement with the slot 43 vof the ring 25 therebelow. The rin is operatively connected with the- 22 is further provided with a chute 47 adjacent the coin guide 46 for directing into the cup` receptacle below the ring any coin which may he deposited through the usual casing slot 35, while the machine is being operated by virtue of the presence of anther coin in operative position, as shown 1n In order to prevent the rotation of the ring 25 by means ofthe handle 26, in the absence of a ring=connecting coin, I 'provide a latch 48 pivoted by means of a suitable pin 49 upon the partition 17. The latch is adapted to engage with a notch50 in the y pressed into engagement with the notch by Imeans of a spring 51. For lifting the latch out of'engagenient with this notch in the ring 25 when a coin is inserted, as is shown in Fig. 10, I provide on the latch a cam 52-for engagement with a lug 54 on the ring 22.

The casing 3 is mounted upon a vertical wall or other support and for so supporting the casing and.4 for locking it in position I provide a back plate `54 having screw holes 55 or other suitable means 'for fastening it to the guard.(not shown). I provide in addition, one or more casing supporting pins 56 having heads 57 and `The back wall 59 :tliatj-When the door depends ward movement ofthe cas- 'tythe `pin 58 tofpass through magma-fand. aus @new the removal of the casingfrom, theback plate 54 by the-disenf'gagem'ent of the pins 56 from'the slot 60.

i Mounted 'within-the chamber 66 of the'.

.i casing 3 is a rocking or rotatable dispensing 1' -,'carriage 67.' This has a normally upright plug 68 which receives each cup as the same is discharged by the escapements 13. Upon the plug is a rib 69 which serves to minii `mize` the surface ,contact betweenv the cup and the plug when the same is discharged `from the plug. In this way'any tendency to stick 4is obviated. The carriage 67 is mounted on trunnions70 of thecasing 3, and has a cylindrical wall v71l normally 'closing the discharge'opening 72 of4 thec'asing.' I pro- 20. y with a sector 74, `The `latter is pivoted at vide on the ring gear teetfy 73 whichmesh r` 1,75 on one side wall of :the casing. Dependvfing. from the .gear sector 74 is ariearm 76 which terminates in. an internal `gear seg- -ment 77 engaging with the gear sector 78` of the carriage 67.'

e Thefring 8`is" 'locked to the casing 3 by meansvofa-boltlO (see Figs. 12 andpl) -notch 1Qb adaptedwtoreceive an end of the.

slidably receivedyin avertical slot 10a of the i.

bolt l0. ,5A vset screw 111 servesto limit the nmvement/ofthefbolt. The spring 11"" within 'the'.'slot 16).normally projects the boltout of th/e Flot 10a. 'The bolt lis provided with teeth'll2aengageable by a pinion 12h of a i i key 13H' I'The 'latter is so proportioned that it fcanjie, introduced into a keyhole 14a of 7 The operation .of tll/ g 8, this keyhole'being disposed adjacent the vertical slot lO1 and communicating therewith; A strip spring 14b is located in the slot and. has the upper end laterally `disposed and engaging the upper end of the bolt. The laterally disposed end 'of the f' spring serves to engage the'lower edge of the 'keyhole 14a When the bolt 10 is withdrawn from the slot 10a, thus preventing the spring 1 1? lfrom fallingout of said slot.

`means the transparent container 7 is p're- By this vented from accidental displacement on the casing3.

fginachme 1s as'fol- ,Jhaving been delows: A' check` or coin l i posited to engage' the Sledge/,42 and 43 of the rings 22 and 25 respectively, .the lever 26 is moved forward its full stroke whereby through the instrumentality of the coin the gearing 22 is rotated in a clockwise directionand through the pinions 24 the escapeinents 13 are caused to rotate in a similar direction.

Their blades 15l move outl of supporting engagement below the flange, of the lowermost cup 41, thereby lowering the stack 'of cups uponthe fia-nges 14 whichjh'ave been simul-` taneously rotated into supporting :po'sitini.``-

It-will be understood that these ian are normally inoperatively disposed. oincidentally, the gear vteeth 73 in engagement segment 7 5 in engagement with the gear 78, have rotated the carriage 67 from the posi- .tion'shown in Fig. 3 to that of Fig. 5. As

the carriage has not yet been supplied with a cup this movement is ineffective to deliver an article. However, if the lever 26 is now` released it will be returned by the spring 29 to its initial position and theblades 15 will Awith the sector 74, and through the internal i enter between the flanges of the cups 40 and i 41, so that the cup 40 and those above it will 7 be lifted and supported by the blades 15 and the cup 41 will be released by the retreat of the flanges 14 and will pass to the plug of the carriage, which has returned to its end position. Thereafter, upon the insertion of a coin `in the slot 35 and the pulling forward of the lever'26,`the carriage 67 will be ro` tated and the cup 4 discharged through the -opening 72 of the casing.` At the saine time, another cup will be lowered into position upon the flanges 14, ready'for delivery to the carriage. I

When the stack of cupsvin the retainer has been exhausted the key 13a can be manipulated to unlock the ring 8 and permit the removal'of the container and the supplying of the machine with a new stack ,of cups.`

From the'above description itx will be seen i that tlie ring 22 which carries the escape- 'lment member constitutes the feed mechanis'm, which becomes operable when a coin is inserted into the slots so as to bind the manually operated ring 25 to the ring 22. The

ring, checlr'controlled means for rotating said first ring from said second ring, a latch for engaging with said second ring, and

means'on said rst ring for lifting said latch i from engagement with said second ring.

2. A device ofthe class described compris- 'ing in' combinatiom means for guiding a stack onested cups, a rotatable ring, means operably connected with said ring for discharging cups from said stack, a second4 rotatable ring co-axial with said' .first-mentioned ring, check controlled nieansffor rotating said rst ring from,- said"second ring, alatch for engagement-with said second ries and means @e ed..fts.lree,ferlifting engagement with rsaid secing in combination, means for guiding a stack of nested cups, a rotatable ring, means operably connected with said ring for discharging cups from said stack, a second rotatable ring co-axial with said lirst-mentioned ring, check controlled means for rotating said first ring from said second ring, a rotatable carriage for charging the cups delivered from said stack, and means for rotating said carriage from .one o said rings. Y

4. A device of the class described comprising in combination, means for guiding a stack of nested cups, a. rotatable ring, means operably conneetedwith said ring fordischarging cups froi said stack, a second rotatable ring co-axial with said first-mentioned ring, check `controlled means for rotating said first ring from said second rin a latch for engagement with said second ring, means on said first ring for lifting said latch `from engagement .with said second ring, a rotatable carria e for receiving and discharging the cups elivered from said stack, and means for rotating said carriage from one of said rings.

5l A device. of the class described comprising in combination, means for guiding a stack of nested cups, a rotatable ring, a second rotatable ring co-axial with the said first-mentioned ring, check controlled means 'for rotating the said first ring from said secondri'ng, a rotatable carriage for receiving and discharging the cups, means actu-4 ated by said first ring for delivering cups one at a time to said rotatable carriage, a hand lever for rotating said second ring, andmeans connectingsaid second ring with said carriage for rotating` said carriage to discharge position by the forward movement of said lever.

' 6. A device of the class prising in combination, a stack of nested cups, second rotatable ring coaxial with said first-mentioned ring, check controlled means for rotating said first ring from said second ring, a rotatable carriage'for receiving and discharging the cups, means actuated by said first ring for supplying cups one at a time to said rotatable carriage, a hand lever for rotating said second ring, and means connecting said second ring with said car;`

described coinmeans for guiding a rotatable ring, a

riage for rotating said carriage to discharge y of a container for a sta l: of nested'cups. a

casing associated therewith, dispensing mechanism in the liver-ing cups an oscillating casing for detherefrom. a rotatably mountreceiving and dised feed mechanism in the casing between the stack of cups and the dispensing mechanism, and check-controlled means for operating simultaneously the feed and dispensing mechanisms, mounted to rotate about the axis of the feed mechanism.

8.l In a vending machine, the combination of a. container for a stack of nested cups, a casing carrying the container, a dispensing mechanism in the casing for delivering the cups therefrom, a revoluble feed mechanism in. the casing between the stack of cups and the dispending mechanism, and check-controlled means co-aXial with the feed lmechanism and positioned between the feed and the dispensing,r mechanisms for operating the same.

t). In a vending machine, the combination casing associated therewith, a dispensing mechanism in the casing for therefrom, and a feed mechanism, including means for movingr into the Acontainer the entire stack of cups with the exception of the one adjacent thc feed mechanism, which is delivered to the dispensing mechanism while the stack is so moved. said feed and'dispensing mechanisms rotating on intersecting axes.

10; In a vending machine, the combination of a lcontainer for a stack of nested cups, a casing associated therewith, a dispensing mechanism in the casing and adapted to deliver cups from the casing, a feed mechanism in the casing between the stack of cups and the dispensing mechanism, said feed mechanism comprising a plurality of escapements mounted to rotate about axes parallel to the staclr and positioned adjacent the outer periphery of the adjacent cups, each of said escapements having a flanged portion and a helical blade portion adapted stack of to move into the casing the entire cups except the lowermost one, said flanged portion adapted to receive the lowermost cup and clear the way for the saine when the stack is raised by said helical flanged portion, whereby said cup is delivered to the dispensing mechanism. i

1. .n a vending machine, the combination of a container for a stacle of nested cups, a casing associated therewith, a dis pensing mechanism in the casing adapted to deliver cups from the casing, and a feed mechanism inthe casing between the stack of cups and the dispensing niechanisin,said feed mechanism comprising a gear mounted to rotate about the axis of the staclnescapements having pinions meshing with the gear, saides'capements being positioned adjacent the outer periphery of the stack, each of said escapcments having a helical blade normally engaging the cup, and a, iiaiigcr movement of said gear causing said helical blades to raise the stack of cups into the container, with the exception of the 'lower--l most remaining on the flanges, said flanges adapted to clear the way for the said cup during the return movement of saidescapement, whereby said cup is delivered to the dispensing mechanism,

12. In a vending machine,'the combination of a containerk for a stack of nested cups, a casingassociated therewith, a disensing mechanism in the casing adapted to eliver cups from the casing, a feed mech'- anism in the casing between the stack. of

mounted to rotate about the axis -or the stack, a pluralitye of'escapements adjacent the outer periplieryL of the cups at theieed mechanism, said escapement having pinions meshing with they internal gear, each of said escapenients having a helical blade adapted to move the entire st ack into the casing when saidescapements are operated, each of said escapcrnents having a lange portion adapted to receive the lowermost` -cnp and deliver the saine to the dispensing mechanism, and' checlneontrollod means positioned between the internal gear and the feed mechanism whereby both are simnltaneousbT operated.

c Y, 13. ln,a vending machine, the combina- .said plug, sa

tion of a' container for a stack or nested zcnps, a casing associated therewith, a dis-J y:perusing mechanism in the casing; adapted to deliver cups from the casing, and a feed m ehanism in the casing between the stack o crips and the dispensing mechanism, said dispensing mechanism comprising, a frusta cone-shaped plug' mounted to oscillate, a coin-controlled, annular member mounted to rotate about the axis of the stack, and transmission means rom said annular member to d annular member being,- adapted to operate simultaneously-said plug and vthe kfeed mechanism.

14. ln a vending machine, the combina tion of a Icontaineri having a stack of nested cups, a casing associated therewith, a dis'- pensing mechanism in the casin adapted to deliver cups from the casing, a ibed mechanism inthe casing between the stack of cups and the dispensing mechanism, and coin-controlled annular members mounted 4 to rotate about the axis of thestack, includ Aing means for engaging the .feed and dispensing mechanisms 'for operating the same when said coin-controlled members arev operated.

15. ln a vending machine, the combina' liver 'one cup ata time into the casingoand a rotatively -niounted dispensing mechanism 'in the said casing adapted to receive the cups delivered vby the feed! mechanism, the

`axes of the said feed anddispensing'mechanisms about which they' operate'being at right angles to each other.vv

16'.A Cheek controlledmechanism y ing in` combinatiom .means forv guiding .fa

1 stack (1f-nested' cups inthe directionvof their commonazjis, la' rotatable ring, means operably connected-with said ring for discharging clips from said stack, a second vrotatablering`concentr1c vwith said' first mentioned-ring, check connecting means forv rol Y tating said iirst. ring' frgm'said second ring, cups and the dispensing mechanism, said feed mechanism comprising an internal' gear a rotatable carriage for receiving and discharging the cups delivered from said stack,

and means for rotatingisaid carriage from one of said rings.

17. VCheck controlled mechanism including vin combination, means for guiding' a stach of nested cups in the direction of their common axis, a rotatablering, a second rotatable `ring concentric with said first men-` tioned ring, check connecting means `for `rotating. ,1r said first ring from said second ring, a rotatable carriage for receiving and discharging the cups, means actuated, lby

said first ring for delivering cups one' at 18. ,Cheek controlled mechanism including in combination, means for guiding a stack olf nested cups in the direction of their common aXis, a pair of concentric rotatable rings check connected for movement tofgether in one direction, and stop connected for movement together in the opposite di* rection, means onerably connected with one of said ringsfor discharging; cups -one at a time from said stack, a rotatablecarriage lor receiving and discharging the cups, and

meansfor rotating said carriage from the other of said rings. y

19. Check controlled mechanism including in combination, means for giiidin 'stack of nested cups in the direction lof-it tatahlc ring; concentric with said rst mentioned rinmlcheck connecting'means for ro rating said first ring from said second ring, a rotatable carriage for receiving and discharging the cups, means actuated by said 'first ring for deliveringcups one at a time to said rotatable carriage, a hand lever for rotatingv said second ring. and means connecting said secondr ring with said carriage for rotating said carriage to discharge",gpo` sition by the forward movement of said hand lever, said cup Adelivery means being a err common axis, a rotatable ring, a second rooperable by the return movement of said hand lever.

20. Check controlled mechanism including in combination, means for guiding a stack of nested cups in the direction of their common axis, a pair of concentric rotatable rings check connected for discharging-cups one at a time from said,stack, a rotatable carriage for receiving and discharging the cups, means for rotating said carriage from other of said rings, and means operably connected with said other ring for returning the several operative Darts to their normal positions.

2l. Check controlled mechanismv including in combination, means for guidingr a stack of nested cuns in the direction of their common axis, a rotatable ring, a. second r0- tatable ring concentric with said first mentioned ring, check connecting means for rotatingsad rst ring from said second ring, a rotatable carriage for receiving and discharging the cups, means actuated by said iirst rmi;T for delircrmg cups one at a timek to said rotatabie carriage, a hand lever for rotating said second ring, gear teeth on said second ring, gear teeth on said carriage, and geared means operatively connecting the gear teeth of said second ring and said carr forward move \N ment, means operably connected wlth one of said rings for the Y riage respectively for rotating said carriage from said ring. y

22. Check controlled mechanismincludingT in combination, stack of nested cups in the direction' of their common axis', a rotatable ring, a-'second rotatable ring' concentric with said first men` tioned ring, check connecting means for rotating said first ring from said second ring, a rotatable carriage for receiving and clischarging the cups, means actuated. hvsa-id first ring forfdelivering cups one at time to said rotatable` carriage, a hand lever forr0- tating said second ring. gear teeth on said second ring, ,f ,rear teeth on said carriage, and a rotatable member pivotally mounted between said ring and said carriage, said rotatable member having gear teeth in operative engagement With the gear teeth of said ring, and having internalL gear teeth in operative engagement with the gear teeth on said carriage for rotating said carriage from said ring.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this soeciication in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

EMIL A. CLAUS.

means for :guiding a, 

